The city of Cotonou is set to become the hub of Africa’s Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) from November 10 to 15, as it hosts the Francophone Africa Music Industry Fair (SIMA). This six-day event will bring together influential figures from the continent’s music and cultural scene, including artists, producers, institutions, major labels, and investors. The fair aims to celebrate African creativity, share expertise, and explore new models of cultural cooperation and export.
SIMA 2025 will feature a range of activities, including performances by prominent artists, discussions on regulation and recognition of artistic work, and forums on export models for African hip-hop. The event will also host a constellation of influential artists, including A’Salfo from Magic System and Pit Baccardi, co-founder of SIMA and founder of Empire Company.
Experts such as Akotchayé Okio, International Development Director at SACEM, and Oyinkansola Fawehinmi, lawyer to Nigerian artist Davido, will address issues related to copyright in the music industry. The SNEP will also provide expertise on international certification standards. Institutional representatives, including William Codjo, Director of the ADAC, and Sinde Chékété, Director General of Benin Tourism, will discuss the role of cultural diplomacy and tourism development in the creative economy.
Major labels, including Universal, Sony Music, and Warner, will explore export partnerships, while financial institutions such as Afreximbank and the BOAD Foundation will discuss investment mechanisms for Africa’s creative industries. The event will also feature awards and recognition programs, including the Les Flammes Awards and the Kundé Awards, which aim to promote African talent.
According to Mamby Diomandé, Founder and General Commissioner of SIMA, the event aims to turn Africa’s creative energy into a sustainable economic engine. The fair will also provide a platform for local icons, such as Lionel Talon and Ulrich Adjovi, to promote Beninese talent and heritage.
By bringing together creators, investors, institutions, and global platforms, Cotonou is asserting itself as a major hub for Francophone African music. The 2025 edition of SIMA is expected to mark an economic and cultural turning point, where creativity will become a true productive and profitable industry. With its diverse range of activities and high-profile attendees, SIMA 2025 is set to be a significant event in the African music industry calendar.